New Grad Looking for med/surg... getting frustrated

[Secel]

I've heard stories from other graduates in the last two years - some of them (most that i've talked to say it takes a year or more time to find a nursing postion). I'm not sure if this is a nursing home position, or a nursing position for a specialty, such as med/surg or icu.

I've took my NCLEX exam in February and passed in 75 questions. I was so excited about this accomplishment (until i realized later that it mattered-little). With liscense number in hand, i started applying for positions. I applied in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Virginia to stay close to family.

(Now I'm going to vent for a bit). I got one call back/ phone interview for a residency program at an ICU. (I'm worried that without the additional training and help from a residency/fellowship, that i wouldnt be able to survive in an ICU.) They scheduled an interview. I was so excited because out of 50+ applications, someone was finally interested!

I went down to Baltimore, arrange and paid for travel myself, and took time off work. When i got there, the secretary said it was cancelled. I was shocked. I said i didnt get a phone call. They checked my phone number and said they must have forgotten to call me. They did an extremly short interview because i was already there. They told me that they were accepting internal applicants first and if they had space left they'd call me back to finish the interview.

I was a little upset. Mostly discouraged. For all the time and money that i spent, they gave me $5 for their cafeteria. And no apology. I understand that things happen and i decided to change my strategy for positions. But it makes me wonder how to go about interviews in the future, if i have to take a plane for instance.

I've now applied to over 100 positions all over the U.S. Mostly med/surg, but in skilled nursing facilites too. No callbacks. It seems most applications i come across say 1-2+ years of experience. Obviously i dont have experience as a new grad.

I'm becoming frustrated. I kind of wish that nursing schools didn't go about quoting how low the unemployment is for nursing, when its largley new grads that are unemployed. Because now i have all these student loans that i have to start paying back... (Venting completed)

Can anyone give me advice? Does anyone know of any places that ARE hiring new grads for med/surg? Or can you give me advice on how to go about interviews that are far away? Or advice on where is best to start looking for a position? Help please! --- and thanks in advance

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Do you keep in contact with people you went to school with who have jobs? Network through them. Have them keep their eyes and ears open for an upcoming position or to put the bug in their managers ear about a fellow student who's looking for employment.

Were you friendly with any of the clinical instructors you had, if so, perhaps contact them and ask if they hear of anything to keep you in mind and let you know.

In my area, the jobs are far and few between in general for RN's and much more far and few between for any that don't require experience. So its not about what you know, but WHO you know. Network, network, network.

I have people I am close with who I had no idea that their mom/dad/aunt/sister etc was a NM or hiring manager. Many of them are willing to offer me a position once they have an opening. So its just a matter of waiting it out now.

I've been licensed for 4 months and have 5 years of LPN experience and its not any easier for me

I have two possible offers coming. But its not a guarentee.

I redid my resume' and my cover letter, I personalized my cover letter for each hospital and position. I keep copies of my resume and a generic cover letter handy like others keep business cards (haha) because I would run into people out in the community, whom I knew, who were nurses who told me they would hand deliver my resume to their NM. 3 of my 5 interviews came from people I gave my resume to (one of those was the wife of the CEO of the local hospital who I was chatting with while waiting for my daughter at the dentist. At the time I didn't know who she was while we were chatting but she did look familiar. I knew face (from pictures on the hospital website for their yearly ball) just not personally)

Above all, don't give up.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I'd send them a thank you card for the interview and understanding about the misunderstanding. Yes it's frustrating on your end because they forgot to call you but it may cause them to remember you down the line.

Networking is a good idea, but you have to make sure you you do not impose on people that may not feel comfortable recommending someone they do not know.